EFFECTIVE AUGUST 23RD, 2004

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 4, 2004

ROYAL GOLD, INC.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

0-5664

84-0835164

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

(State or other jurisdiction

(Commission

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

File Number)

Identification No.)

1660 Wynkoop Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO

80202-1132

____________________________________________________________

______________________________

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code 303-573-1660

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ]

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





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Item 2.02

Results of Operation and Financial Condition

The following information is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 "Results of Operations and Financial Condition."

On November 4, 2004, Royal Gold, Inc. reported a 40% year over year increase in revenues for its first quarter of fiscal 2005. The information contained in the press release dated November 4, 2004, regarding the Company's first quarter results is incorporated herein by reference and is filed as exhibit 99.1 hereto.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

The following information is furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 "Financial statements and Exhibits."

   

Exhibit Number

Description

99.1

Press Release dated November 4, 2004 "Royal Gold Reports 40% Year Over Year Increase In Revenues For First Quarter Of Fiscal 2005"





2



SIGNATURES

 
 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Royal Gold, Inc.

 

(Registrant)

     

By:
Name:
Title:

/s/ Karen Gross                                  
Karen Gross
Vice President & Corporate Secretary

Dated: November 4, 2004





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Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

 

Stanley Dempsey, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Karen Gross, Vice President & Corporate Secretary
(303) 573-1660

 

ROYAL GOLD REPORTS 40% YEAR OVER YEAR INCREASE IN REVENUES
FOR FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 2005

   

Earnings of $0.12 per share mark a 100% quarter-over-quarter increase

Free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) totals 71% of revenue

Higher gold prices result in GSR1 royalty rate step-up to 4.0%

   

          DENVER, COLORADO. NOVEMBER 4, 2004: ROYAL GOLD, INC. (NASDAQ:RGLD; TSX: RGL) today announced revenues of $5.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2005 (ended September 30), an increase of 40%, compared to revenues of $4.2 million for the same period in fiscal 2004. Net income was $2.5 million or $0.12 per basic share for the quarter, compared to $1.3 million or $0.06 per basic share for the same period last fiscal year. Higher revenues were largely due to higher gold prices which resulted in a step-up of Royal Gold's sliding-scale royalty rate at the Pipeline Mining Complex.

          "Our portfolio continues to perform at a high level," said Stanley Dempsey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The overall quality of our royalties and the mine operators, combined with our ability to derive significant leverage from the increasing gold price through our sliding-scale royalties, have been major drivers to success. Our unique business model and solid balance sheet allow us great flexibility and remains an asset. During the quarter, we took steps to advance our stated goal of doubling the size of the Company by expanding our royalty portfolio in a royalty financing transaction with Revett Silver Company. While we look forward to the additional revenue that will be generated from the Troy mine, we maintain our appetite for growth and will continue to seek opportunities."

          During the quarter, free cash flow was approximately $4.2 million, or 71% of revenues compared to $2.7 million or 64% of revenues for the same period last fiscal year. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as operating income plus depreciation, depletion and amortization, non-cash charges, and any impairment of mining assets. (See, Schedule A - Reconciliation.)





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          At September 30, 2004, the Company had a working capital surplus of approximately $51.8 million. Current assets were $55.3 million, compared to current liabilities of $3.5 million for a current ratio of nearly 16 to 1.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Pipeline Mining Complex, Lander County, Nevada

          The Company owns two sliding-scale gross smelter return royalties ("GSR1 and GSR2"), a fixed rate gross smelter return royalty ("GSR3"), and a net value return royalty ("NVR1") on the Pipeline Mining Complex, in Lander County, Nevada. The GSR1 royalty covers the current mine footprint, and the GSR2 ("super") royalty covers any reserves that are developed on the claim block lying outside the current mine footprint. The GSR2 royalty pays out at a rate that is 80% higher than that of GSR1, at all gold prices. The GSR3 royalty is a 0.71% fixed rate for the life of the mine. The 0.39% NVR1 covers production from the GAS Claims, an area of interest of approximately 4,000 acres including the South Pipeline deposit and Crossroads area, but not including the Pipeline pit. The NVR1 royalty is calculated by deducting processing-related costs, but is not burdened by mining costs.

          The Pipeline Mining Complex is owned by the Cortez Joint Venture ("Cortez"), a joint venture between Placer Cortez Inc. (60%), a subsidiary of Placer Dome Inc., and Kennecott Exploration (Australia) Ltd. (40%), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto.

          During the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the Pipeline Mining Complex produced 249,469 ounces of gold providing royalty revenue of $5.0 million, compared to 219,901 ounces of gold produced providing royalty revenue of $3.5 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2004. The 43% increase in quarterly royalty revenue was driven by a step-up in our sliding-scale rate and increased production attributable to our royalty interests.

          During the quarter, the average gold price was $401 per ounce resulting in a royalty rate of 4.0%, compared to an average gold price of $364 per ounce and a royalty rate of 3.4% for the same period in fiscal 2004. Current production from the Pipeline Mining Complex is subject to GSR1, GSR3, and NVR1.

Leeville Project, Eureka County, Nevada

          Royal Gold holds a 1.8% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty covering a majority of the Leeville project ("Leeville"). Leeville is an underground mine, currently under development by Newmont Mining Corporation ("Newmont"). Newmont has announced its intention to initiate production at Leeville in the fourth quarter of calendar 2005. Current production on the Leeville royalty land is derived from underground operations on a portion of the Carlin East deposit.





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          During the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the Carlin East deposit produced 33,406 ounces of gold. Royalty revenue for the quarter was $315,296, which included $78,000 for prior royalty payments. This compares to 27,275 ounces of gold produced, providing royalty revenue of $171,846 for the same quarter in fiscal 2004. The 38% net increase in royalty revenue related to the Carlin East deposit was due to higher gold prices as well as a 23% increase in production attributable to Royal Gold's royalty interest.

SJ Claims (Goldstrike Mine), Eureka County, Nevada

          Royal Gold holds a 0.9% NSR royalty covering a portion of the Betze-Post mine, known as the SJ Claims. The Betze-Post mine, a part of the larger Goldstrike operation, is operated by Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick").

          During the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the SJ Claims produced 131,357 ounces of gold, providing royalty revenue of $477,392, compared to 126,183 ounces of gold produced, providing royalty revenue of $414,839 for the same quarter in fiscal 2004. The 15% increase in royalty revenue was due to higher gold prices.

Bald Mountain, White Pine County, Nevada

          Royal Gold holds a 1.75% to 3.5% NSR sliding-scale royalty that burdens a portion of the Bald Mountain mine, operated by Placer Dome U.S. Inc. The 1.75% NSR royalty rate does not increase until the gold price exceeds $500 per ounce.

          During the first quarter of fiscal 2005, Bald Mountain produced about 7,300 ounces of gold, providing royalty revenue of $51,265, compared to 10,288 ounces of gold produced providing royalty revenue of $65,071 for the same quarter in fiscal 2004.

South American Properties (Argentina)

          The Company holds a 2% NSR royalty on the Martha silver mine operated by Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation. Royalty revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was $39,395, compared with $12,294 for the same quarter in fiscal 2004.

Troy Mine, Lincoln County, Montana

          Royal Gold obtained payments equivalent to a 7.0% GSR royalty that covers the Troy mine operated by Revett Silver Company ("Revett"). The Troy mine is an underground mine which operated from 1981 through 1993, producing 44.4 million ounces of silver and 390.0 million pounds of copper. The GSR royalty will extend until either cumulative production of 90% of the current reserves is reached, or Royal Gold receives $10.5 million in cumulative payments, whichever occurs first. Revett has announced that production at the Troy mine should commence in late 2004, and anticipates production of approximately 3.0 million ounces of silver and 25.0 million pounds of copper in calendar year 2005.





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Corporate Profile

          Royal Gold is a precious metals royalty company engaging in the acquisition and management of precious metals royalty interests. Royal Gold is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Market System under the symbol "RGLD," and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "RGL." The Company's web page is located at www.royalgold.com.

NOTE: Management's conference call reviewing its first quarter of fiscal 2005 will be held today at 12:00 noon Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Mountain. The call will be simultaneously carried on the Company's web site at www.royalgold.com under the "Presentations" section. A replay of the call will be available on our website approximately two hours after the call ends. The conference call is also available by calling 800-603-2779 or 706-634-7230. Replays are also available until November 12 by dialing 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291, access number 1774816.

_________________

Cautionary "Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or estimates contained herein. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding production levels and timing, reserves, increased revenue from Revett, and the sliding-scale features of our royalty structure at the Pipeline Mining Complex. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, precious metals prices, decisions and activities of the operators of our royalty properties, unanticipated grade, geological, metallurgical, processing or other problems the operators of the mining properties may encounter, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of current or planned exploration activities, economic and market conditions, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this press release and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to predict or control. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement made herein. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Company discloses information on free cash flow and free cash flow as a percentage of revenues in its reporting. The Company defines free cash flow by operating income plus depreciation, depletion and amortization, non-cash charges, and any impairment of mining assets. While we believe free cash flow is a useful measure of the Company's performance, we also want to advise that this is not a measure recognized by generally accepted accounting principles. See Schedule A - Reconciliation, attached to this press release.





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ROYAL GOLD, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

September 30,  
         2004         

June 30,     
         2004        

Current assets

   Cash and equivalents

$

48,666,658

$

44,800,901

   Royalty receivables

5,014,547

5,221,307

   Current deferred tax asset

1,305,784

1,671,305

   Prepaid expenses and other

             277,308

            207,662

Total current assets

55,264,297

51,901,175

Royalty interests in mineral properties, net

39,493,816

40,325,611

Available for sale securities

500,140

420,231

Deferred tax asset

219,554

306,565

Other assets

             619,067

            568,228

Total assets

$

96,096,874

$

93,521,810

============

===========

Current liabilities

   Accounts payable

$

1,429,845

$

1,232,539

Federal income taxes payable

609,462

-

   Dividend payable

779,377

779,377

   Accrued compensation

300,000

200,000

   Other

            343,084

            229,518

Total current liabilities

3,461,768

2,441,434

Deferred tax liability

7,870,113

8,078,975

Other long term liabilities

                96,489

            103,089

Total Liabilities

         11,428,370

       10,623,498

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity

   Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 40,000,000      shares; and issued 21,012,583 and 21,012,583 shares,      respectively

210,125

210,125

Additional paid-in capital

102,019,891

102,019,891

Accumulated other comprehensive income

79,240

28,097

Accumulated deficit

(16,543,880

)

(18,262,929

)

Less treasury stock, at cost (229,224 shares)

         (1,096,872

)

        (1,096,872

)

Total stockholders' equity

         84,668,504

       82,898,312

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

96,096,874

$

93,521,810

============

===========





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ROYAL GOLD, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

        For The Three Months Ended      

September 30,

September 30,

        2004         

        2003         

Royalty revenues

$

5,924,091

$

4,181,485

Costs and expenses

   Costs of operations

459,281

335,148

   General and administrative

815,863

585,687

   Exploration and business development

455,616

522,439

   Depreciation and depletion

            860,188

            914,891

Total costs and expenses

         2,590,948

         2,358,165

Operating income

3,333,143

1,823,320

Interest and other income

131,165

89,003

Interest and other expense

             (29,018

)

            (29,277

)

Income before income taxes

3,435,290

1,883,046

Current tax expense

(658,934

)

(73,705

)

Deferred tax expense

           (277,930

)

           (466,228

)

Net income

$

2,498,426

$

1,343,113

===========

===========

Adjustments to comprehensive income

   Unrealized change in market value of available
     for sale securities

              51,143

           (107,709

)

Comprehensive income

$

2,549,569

$

1,235,404

===========

===========

Basic earnings per share

$

0.12

$

0.06

===========

===========

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

20,783,359

20,696,816

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.12

$

0.06

===========

===========

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

21,090,329

21,099,580





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ROYAL GOLD, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

 

          For The Three Months Ended      

   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 
   

        2004         

   

        2003         

 

Cash flows from operating activities

           
             

Net income

$

2,498,426

 

$

1,343,113

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:

           
             

     Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

860,188

   

914,891

 

     Deferred tax expense

 

277,930

   

466,228

 
             

     (Increase) decrease in:

           

        Royalty receivables

 

206,760

   

(276,274

)

        Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(72,121

)

 

(70,299

)

             

     Increase (decrease) in:

           

Accounts payable

 

197,306

   

(11,765

)

Federal income taxes payable

 

609,462

   

(124,295

)

Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities

 

124,672

   

138,335

 

        Other long term liabilities

 

              (6,600

)

 

              (6,600

)

 

           

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

         4,696,023

   

         2,373,334

 
             

Cash flows from investing activities

           
             

   Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

            (50,889

)

 

            (42,275

)

 

           

Net cash used in investing activities

 

            (50,889

)

 

            (42,275

)

 

           

Cash flows from financing activities:

           

   Dividends paid

 

(779,377

)

 

(1,032,735

)

   Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

                      -

   

            611,361

 

 

           

Net cash used in financing activities

 

          (779,377

)

 

          (421,374

)

             

Net increase in cash and equivalents

 

        3,865,757

   

         1,909,685

 

 

           

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

 

       44,800,901

   

       33,485,543

 

 

           

Cash and equivalents at end of period

$

48,666,658

 

$

35,395,228

 
   

===========

   

===========

 





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SCHEDULE A - RECONCILIATION

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company computes and discloses free cash flow and free cash flow as a percentage of revenues as non-GAAP financial measures. Free cash flow is defined by the Company as operating income plus depreciation, depletion and amortization, non-cash charges, and adding back any impairment of mining assets. Management believes that free cash flow and free cash flow as a percentage of revenues are useful measures of performance of our royalty portfolio. Free cash flow identifies the cash generated in a given period that will be available to fund the Company's future operations, growth opportunities, and shareholder dividends. Free cash flow, as defined, is most directly comparable to operating income in the Statements of Operations. Below is reconciliation to operating income:

        For The Three Months Ended     

September 30,
         2004         

September 30,
         2003         

Operating income

$

3,333,143

$

1,823,320

Depreciation and depletion

               860,188

              914,891

Free cash flow

$

4,193,331

$

2,738,211

============

============





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